SHARON CITY COUNCIL Purpose: Regular Council Meeting Date: Wednesday, December 19, 2018 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Sharon Municipal Building Council Chambers MINUTES CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Council: Yes President Connelly TIME: 6:36 P.M. Yes Robert Fiscus, City Manager Yes Attorney Madden, City Solicitor Yes Lori Merolillo, City Clerk (Daphne Parrish) News Media: Yes The Herald Dept. Heads: Yes Edward Stabile, Chief of Police Yes John Cave, Street Dept. Yes Jason Tomko, Finance Director No Melissa Phillips, Community Development Yes David Tomko, Code Department Mr. Connelly opened the meeting by wishing a Happy Birthday to Sharon as Sharon was 100 years old on December 17, 2018. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Fiscus stated he is awaiting a formal request to the City for abandonment of Hickory Street from Vine Avenue to the dead end. This is in anticipation of a possible expansion by one of the businesses. He will recommend an expeditious response once a formal request is received. Mr. Fiscus is evaluating downtown parking and monitoring who is parking, and where, and will reach out to businesses to remediate the problem. He is also continuing to research the possibility of parking meters. Mr. Fiscus recommended David Tomko be appointed as the Director of Public Works and Code Enforcement, as was proposed in the 2019 budget. In keeping in compliance with the Charter, a Resolution has been put on the agenda to be voted on this evening. Mr. Fiscus reported the FOP is conducting fundraising efforts for taser replacements. He stated non-lethal force equipment will give the Police the ability to protect themselves as well as citizens. He stated they wish to continue their fundraising efforts, absent any objection from Council. PUBLIC COMMENTS - AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCES Public Hearing for Ordinance #15-18, introduced November 14, 2018 SECOND AND FINAL READING amending the Municipal Pension Plan administered by Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System pursuant to Article IV of the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Law, and bound by all provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Law as amended. Public Hearing for Ordinance #17-18, introduced November 14, 2018 SECOND AND FINAL READING amending the Codified Ordinances of the City of Sharon to increase the fee for issuance of a copy of tax bills from $5 to $10. Public Hearing for Ordinance #18-18, introduced November 14, 2018 SECOND AND FINAL READING reserving two parking slots at the upper deck of the Library Parking Lot for Library personnel. Public Hearing for Ordinance #19-18, introduced December 5, 2018 SECOND AND FINAL READING appropriating specific sums estimated to be $8,755,868 required for the specific purposes of City Government during the fiscal year 2019. Public Hearing for Ordinance #20-18, introduced December 5, 2018 SECOND AND FINAL READING approving and granting a non-exclusive cable franchise to Spectrum Mid-America LLC, locally known as Charter Communications. Chris Thomas from Charter Communications was present at the meeting and explained he did not attend to make a presentation, but rather to answer any questions. He explained that this agreement has been an ongoing project with Mercer County Regional Council of Governments for the past two years, and the contract is essentially the same as the expiring prior contract. Mr. Thomas stated the franchise fees are unchanged. Steven Theiss asked if the new contract had anything to do with "highspeed internet. Mr. Thomas said Fiber Internet service is available to businesses, but not residential customers. Mr. Fiscus added that Fiber Internet service is currently available in downtown and this should be instrumental in bringing in businesses. Public Hearing for Ordinance #21-18, introduced December 5, 2018 SECOND AND FINAL READING fixing the tax rate for the Fiscal Year 2019 for general City purposes, at 29.51 mills on each dollar of assessed valuation. Dave McLaren asked for clarification regarding paving and street improvement on the budget. Mr. Fiscus explained the street improvements include items such as ADA ramps, curb ramps, etc., while paving is specifically paving. Mr. McLaren asked if all the funds budgeted in 2018 were used. Mr. Fiscus stated he did not believe it was all used, and there are still some Community Development monies unused, but it rolls over. Also, the Multi Modal Phase I is not yet completed, and we will be moving into Multi Modal Phase II. The monies for those have been allocated but not spent. Mr. McLaren asked what is blight? Mr. Fiscus stated it is the houses that are unoccupied and something nobody wants to have to look at. The housing demolition plan is behind because of issues that have arisen. He also stated that demolition monies from 2018 will go into 2019, and the funds are collecting interest.
ORDINANCES MOTION that Ordinance #15-18 entitled An ORDINANCE of the Council of the City of Sharon, County of Mercer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Electing to amend its Municipal Pension Plan administered by the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System pursuant to Article IV of the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Law; agreeing to be bound by all provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Law as amended and as applicable to member municipalities. Pass SECOND reading by title Second: Mr. Lucas Vote: MOTION that Ordinance #17-18 entitled An ORDINANCE of the Council of the City of Sharon, County of Mercer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Amending the Codified Ordinances of the City of Sharon, Part Two, Administration Code, Title Two, General Provisions, Chapter 209, General Fee Schedule, Section.04, Schedule, to increase a fee for issuance of a copy of tax bills from $5.00 to $10.00. Pass SECOND reading by title Motion: Mr. James Vote: MOTION that Ordinance #18-18 entitled An ORDINANCE of the Council of the City of Sharon, County of Mercer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, setting aside and reserving two parking slots at the upper deck of the Library Parking Lot on Sharpsville Avenue for Library personnel during hours of Library operation; providing for posting of signs; and setting penalties for violations. Pass SECOND reading by title Vote: MOTION that Ordinance #19-18 entitled An ORDINANCE of the Council of the City of Sharon, County of Mercer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, appropriating specific sums estimated to be $8,755,868 required for the specific purposes of City Government, hereinafter set forth, during the fiscal year 2019. Pass SECOND reading by title Vote: MOTION that Ordinance # 20-18 entitled An ORDINANCE of the Council of the City of Sharon, County of Mercer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, approving and granting a non-exclusive cable franchise to Spectrum Mid-America LLC, locally known as Charter Communications. Pass SECOND reading by title Vote:
MOTION that Ordinance #21-18 entitled An ORDINANCE of the Council of the City of Sharon, County of Mercer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, fixing the tax rate for the Fiscal Year 2019 for general City purposes, the sum of 29.51 mills on each dollar of assessed valuation. Pass SECOND reading by title Second: Mrs Bundrant Vote: MOTION that Ordinance #22-18 entitled An ORDINANCE of the Council of the City of Sharon, County of Mercer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing for an addendum to the contract between the City of Sharon and the Rose of Sharon Lodge #3 Fraternal Order of Police changing the effective dates of the contract to January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2023; setting the premium sharing percentage for 2023; reducing compensation for officers living outside of the City of Sharon by 1.75% and setting forth terms and conditions of modification of residency requirements. Pass FIRST reading by title Second: Mrs. Saylor Vote: No Mrs. Bundrant RESOLUTIONS MOTION that Resolution 79-18 entitled A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania hereby requesting a Multi-Modal Transportation Fund Grant of $1,254,958 from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to be used for road resurfacing be adopted. Vote: MOTION that Resolution 80-18 entitled A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, authorizing a budget transfer from multiple line items be adopted. Second: Mr. Lucas Vote: MOTION that Resolution 81-18 entitled A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, authorizing an Addendum to Agreement dated July 1, 2018 between the Sharon City School District and the City of Sharon be adopted. Vote: Second: Mr. Lucas
MOTION that Resolution 84-18 entitled A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania to adopt a Minority/Women Business Development Plan be adopted. Vote: MOTION that Resolution 85-18 entitled A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania authorizing the City Manager s appointment of David Tomko to Director of Public Works and Code Enforcement effective January 1, 2019 be adopted. Second: Mrs. Saylor Vote: MOTION that Resolution 86-18 entitled A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and titled Fair Housing Resolution be adopted. Vote: MOTION that Resolution 87-18 entitled A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, approving the Section 504 Plan Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for the City of Sharon be adopted. Vote: MOTION that Resolution 88-18 entitled A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, authorizing Jason Tomko, Finance Director shall be designated as authorized Signing Authority for open DCED HOME contracts be adopted. Second: Mrs. Saylor Vote:
CONSENT AGENDA THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE CONSIDERED BY CITY COUNCIL TO BE ROUTINE CITY BUSINESS AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION AND ONE ROLL CALL VOTE. ANY COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY OFFICIAL OR CITIZENS WISHING CLARIFICATION OF AN ITEM MAY ASK A QUESTION BY RAISING THEIR HAND AND IDENTIFYING THE ITEM BEFORE ADOPTION OF THE ITEM. MOTION that Resolution #82-18 entitled "A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Sharon, County of Mercer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, authorizing, in accordance with Section 915 of the Home Rule Charter, the City Manager and Finance Director, or in the absence of the Finance Director, the Tax Collector, to pay the bills submitted on Schedule A to Council" be adopted. MOTION that Resolution #83-18 entitled "A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, authorizing appointments for certain Committees, Boards and Authorities be adopted. Sharon Planning Commission Jim Landino Lizette Olsen Chris Levitt MOTION to approve the minutes from the November 14, 2018 Regular Council meeting and the November 28, 2018 Budget Hearing be adopted. Vote: COMMENTS: NEWS MEDIA: CITIZENS Dave McLaren asked who decides what houses are to be torn down. Mr. Fiscus told him that it is a team effort, with input from City staff, Community Development, Code Officers, and himself. He stated we had a consultant who made an evaluation, considering our funding levels and a plan was developed. The consultant suggested targeting of neighborhoods to show cause and effect. Carol Swartz asked regarding Ordinance #21-18, is 29.51 millage the current tax rate. Mr. Fiscus answered that it is. Discussed valuation of real estate and Mrs. Swartz asked how frequently real estate is being valuated. Mrs. Saylor explained that the City utilizes valuations used by the County, and a valuation has not been done since the 1970s. The County uses a formula to convert the value of the real estate considering inflation. The County has discussed reassessing the entire county in the future. Mrs. Swartz asked if the Minority/Women Business Development plan has been implemented yet. Mr. Fiscus stated this is something that needs to be reviewed and updated annually, and we may possibly be revising in again as soon as January 2019. Mrs. Swartz asked about the Fair Housing Resolution. Mr. Fiscus stated this is required by HUD to put safeguards in place to ensure that fair house is available, and Melissa Phillips has implemented this. Mrs. Swartz wished Happy Holidays to all and thanked everyone.
MRS. BUNDRANT: Mrs. Bundrant said thanks to Bob Fiscus and Jason Tomko for working hard on the budget. She recognized it is a well-organized budget, and questions were answered timely. She also thanked all the volunteers and everyone on the various Commissions. She stated Sharon has the best group of people and this makes her proud, and please continue to volunteer. Mr. Connelly added that other communities are envious of how we do things here. Mrs. Bundrant wished Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all. MR. LUCAS: Mr. Lucas stated that in 2019 we need to address the street light issue at the end of Dougherty Avenue. One of the neighbors installed a walking entrance to the park, which looks nice, but there are no lights, and he is concerned somebody will drive through the walkway, especially at night. Mrs. Bundrant requested obtaining information on pricing. Mr. Lucas also told Jason Tomko and Bob Fiscus they did a great job on the budget and thanked them for bringing professionalism in following the Charter in making the budget transfers. Mr. Lucas thanked Mr. Cave and told him he is doing a great job. He wished good luck to Dave Tomko, and Merry Christmas to all. MR. JAMES: Mr. James voiced the same sentiments, thanking Jason Tomko, Bob Fiscus and John Cave. He recognized the commissions are all stepping up and he is impressed how far we have come in seven years. He stated he agrees with Mr. Lucas regarding the lighting issue on Dougherty Avenue, and added we need to look at lighting again in the future. He wished all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. MRS. SAYLOR: Mrs. Saylor echoed everyone else regarding Happy Holidays and the sentiments on the volunteers. She addressed the FOP regarding the change being made, recognizing that some members felt very strongly about this issue. She said she feels the move is the right move, and she hopes the older officer will continue to live in the City and the younger officer will consider living in the City. She said it is her hope it works out for all involved. MR. CONNELLY: Mr. Connelly stated he has the same sentiments as the others, and he wishes for John Cave and Dave Tomko to work together to do a great job. Mr. Connelly also congratulated Downtown on the Shop Small Day; he stated it was a great day and is nice every year. Mr. Connelly also commended Bob Fiscus and Jason Tomko on the ninth consecutive year without a tax increase, and he stated he is proud of how the budget was put together. He wished Happy Birthday to Sharon, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Meeting adjourned at 7:09 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: Vote: